Millwall check out another French speaking striker

Millwall have invited another unnamed French speaking attacker in on trial.

The Lions have already given Paris St Germain’s Jean-Eudes Maurice a chance to impress this week and this morning a second attacker fluent in French began training with the club.

Boss Ian Holloway refused to be drawn on the mystery player’s identity but will see him in action during an internal training match.

He said: “I’ve brought in another French one today who plays up front.

“I don’t know yet whether either he or Jean will play at Dartford on Tuesday but we’ve got a game against ourselves tomorrow and another training session.

“I’m sure by the end of pre-season I will know who I want and the fans will then see them for real in the Championship.

“Hopefully we can then do better than we did last year.”

Holloway also explained why he was so keen to get in a French speaker to the club.

“Jean has had two days with us so he has spent a lot of time talking to Jimmy Abdou.

“It is nice for Jimmy there is someone here who is fluent in his own language.

“I believe I can get the best out of Jimmy if I can bring in someone who is good enough to play for us who also speaks the main language Jimmy does so he doesn’t have to be under pressure all the time to concentrate.

“Then he can relax so whether that is Jean or someone else I don’t know yet.”

Millwall’s manager again reiterated his determination to get the right people on board this summer in order to avoid a repeat of last season’s battle against relegation.

Holloway said: “I will be trying to get as many as I can and as many as it takes but it is about getting the balance right between youthful enthusiasm and experienced quality.

“I believe some of our young lads will have the quality to play for us eventually and I’ve got to try and get that timing right but this is the Championship and we’ve got to get a squad which can compete at the right end of the table.

“We need a 28-goal turnaround and I feel we definitely need some players to come in to help the group.”

The Lions have been strongly linked with Leeds United striker Matt Smith this week but Ollie refused to comment on the rumours.

“I don’t talk about other clubs’ players,” he said.

“You can all speculate al you want.

“I’ve got to get on we’ve what we’ve got and then whoever I bring I’ll talk about them once they’ve signed.”

Holloway was at The Den this lunchtime to cut the ribbon on the refurbished Lions superstore where he told fans of his desire to guide Millwall into the Premier League.

“It has always been my ambition,” he said.

“Opening the new superstore today is about making us Premier League standard.

“Every single thing I expect on the training ground, everything we try and do as a club and everything I want the players to do is of a Premier League standard which will get us there eventually.

“I don’t know how long it will take but I don’t particularly care.”

Follow @NewsShopperSprt on Twitter for live updates from Dartford v Millwall on Tuesday

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